Hands-On Apple (Audio)

HOA 244: Live Text & Visual Look Up

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 14:18:12 PDT

Stop fumbling with serial numbers, plant names, or care tags. Discover quick, practical tricks to turn your iPhone's camera into a powerhouse for instant web answers and hassle-free text capture.

Enabling Live Text and checking device and language compatibility
Using Live Text in Photos, Camera, and Notes for text selection
Tips for extracting phone numbers, emails, and addresses with Live Text
Scanning serial numbers and copying image text across Apple devices
Identifying plants, animals, landmarks, and more with Visual Lookup
Visual Lookup for laundry symbols and car dashboard lights
Troubleshooting fussy features
Best practices for clear OCR and uncluttered frames

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

HOA 243: iPhone Display vs. Your Eyes

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 14:09:03 PDT

If you have kids using iPhones, Screen Distance might already be enforcing healthy habits without you knowing it. Find out how iOS screen features, like Bold Text and True Tone, are shaping digital wellness for your eyes and your family.

Setting up and using Screen Distance on Face ID devices
Night Shift: color temperature adjustments and sleep science skepticism
True Tone vs. Night Shift: real-time white balance adaptation
Additional display tweaks: Auto-Brightness, Reduce White Point, Larger Text
Tracking outdoor time with Apple Watch's Time in Daylight
Outdoor time as a proven method to reduce myopia risk

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

HOA 242: Understanding Apple Upgrade

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 14:02:09 PDT

Apple just replaced its iPhone Upgrade Program with a device leasing model run by Klarna, and you might end up paying more for devices you never actually own. Find out what happens when your monthly payments end in this episode covering Apple Upgrade!

Apple launches Apple Upgrade device lease, replacing iPhone Upgrade Program
Klarna partnership explained: application, credit check, and payment limitations
Lease requirements: activation, payments, trade-ins, and pickup rules
Device condition, damage, and loss policies under Apple Upgrade
Canceling early, returns, and keeping financed accessories
End-of-term options: upgrade, return, or buy device outright

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

threatlocker.com/twit

HOA 241: iOS Home Screen Customization

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 14:03:34 PDT

iOS 26 conveniently puts you in charge of your iPhone home screen with deep design tools hidden behind a single long press. Discover how Apple's new Liquid Glass and tinted themes finally let your wallpaper and icons reflect your style.

Jiggle mode and edit tools enable deep icon appearance tweaks
Exploring Light, Dark, Clear, and Tinted home screen styles
Using tints and saturation sliders for unique color coordination
Rearranging app icons to highlight wallpaper and key visuals
Adding, editing, and customizing widgets on the home screen
Hiding, deselecting, or deleting home screen pages safely
Removing unused home screen apps without uninstalling them
Switching between app icons and widgets for streamlined access
Face ID and privacy tweaks for individual apps on the home screen

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

HOA 240: Feedback in the Apple Public Beta Program

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:14:39 PDT

Ready to install the iOS 27 public beta? Skip common mistakes and learn Mikah's straightforward method for filing some reports that may actually get results.

Back up devices and expectations for public beta testers
Step-by-step guide to enrolling in Apple's public beta program
Understanding your role and responsibilities as a beta tester
The importance of submitting clear, actionable feedback to Apple
How to use the Feedback app and provide diagnostic data
Attaching screenshots and recordings to feedback for clarity
When to refile persistent bugs and avoid reporting third-party app issues

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

HOA 239: Photographic Styles

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:58:53 PDT

Ever wish your iPhone could capture your photos with a look that actually feels like you? Learn how Apple's photographic styles hand you control over color, tone, and even skin tones, with no generic filters required.

Differences in photographic styles between older and newer iPhones
How to set up and select photographic styles in iOS settings
Exploring and customizing style presets like amber, gold, and rose gold
Using the control pad to fine-tune tone, color, and intensity
Adjusting or resetting styles, plus limitations on older versus newer devices
Saving and editing photo styles after capture on latest iPhones

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

HOA 238: Using Back Tap on iPhone

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 13:00:00 PDT

Transform your iPhone interaction with a neat double-tap feature that most users have never noticed in the settings menu. Find out how to program the back of your phone for quick actions like taking a screenshot, launching your favorite app, or automating nighttime routines.

Finding and enabling Back Tap in Accessibility settings
Double tap and triple tap back actions explained
How Back Tap uses sensors, not physical buttons
Assigning system, accessibility, and device actions to Back Tap
Using Back Tap to trigger shortcuts for custom automations
Practical uses and avoiding accidental activations

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

blackhat.com/us-26 and use code TWIT

HOA 237: StandBy Mode

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 14:07:35 PDT

Your iPhone can quietly transform into a customizable bedside clock, calendar, and smart photo frame with just a simple orientation tweak. Discover how StandBy mode reveals features you probably didn't know your device had.

StandBy requirements: charging, landscape mode, and settings toggle
Always-on display boosts StandBy, but older iPhones work too
Configure StandBy's display options, night mode, and motion to wake
Explore StandBy's three main views: widgets, photos, clocks
Customizing widget stacks, adding photos, and picking clock styles
Now Playing and live activity controls integrate with StandBy
Night mode tips for lower brightness and red-tinted display
MagSafe enables location-based StandBy view preferences
StandBy integrates with Sleep Focus for smarter nighttime use

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

threatlocker.com/twit

HOA 236: macOS Stickies

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:22:34 PDT

Are you overlooking a classic built into every Mac? Mikah Sargent challenges you to give Stickies a week and find out if it deserves a permanent spot on your desktop.

Fast, frictionless note taking without accounts or setup
Formatting features: fonts, colors, graphics, and text enhancements
Color-coded Stickies for easy organization and quick reference
Advanced options: floating notes, translucency, keyboard shortcuts
Stickies' limitations: local-only, no device syncing or security features

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.

Sponsor:

Melissa.com/twit

HOA 235: Translate App

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 14:15:01 PDT

Your iPhone has a powerful translation toolkit built right in, ready to tackle menus, emails, and street signs (in over 20 languages) without any extra apps or subscriptions. Discover how to get the most out of features you might not even know exist, from real-time conversation mode to camera translations.

Supported languages and translation options overview
Translating and pronouncing text, saving phrases for quick access
Utilizing conversation mode for real-time bilingual communication
Switching between side-by-side and face-to-face translation views
Activating auto-translate and automatic language detection features
Live camera translation for menus, signs, and printed text
Translating photos and system-wide text using the context menu
Translation capabilities in Safari for web pages
Downloading offline language packs for travel or privacy

Host: Mikah Sargent

Download or subscribe to Hands-On Apple at https://twit.tv/shows/hands-on-apple

Want access to the ad-free audio and video and exclusive features? Become a member of Club TWiT today! https://twit.tv/clubtwit

Club TWiT members can discuss this episode and leave feedback in the Club TWiT Discord.